Recreation in Nature - How We Spent Summer 2024

What green and natural spaces did we visit on same-day visits?

Urban Greenspaces were the natural spaces, or ecosystems, most frequently visited in Summer 2024, with 86% of people visiting them at least once over this period, and 63% visiting at least once a week. Around half (49%) of people visited Grasslands and Croplands at least once a week, with 14% visiting daily. Forests & Woodlands were visited at least once a week by 22% of people, with 70% visiting at least once in the survey period. Around 80% of people visited Coastal Beaches, Dunes & Wetlands over the survey period, with 26% visiting at least once a week. The least frequently visited ecosystems were Marine & Transitional Waters, and Lakes & Reservoirs, with 69% and 57% respectively not spending time there at all on a same-day visit (See Figure 3.1, Table 3.1).

Nearly four in ten (39%) of those aged 16-29 visited Marine & Transitional Waters between June and August. A larger proportion of this cohort (76%) visited Rivers & Canals compared with other age groups. Those aged 30-39 (91%) and 40-49 (93%) were most likely to visit Urban Greenspaces. The proportion of those aged 70 and over that visited an ecosystem was the lowest of all age groups across all ecosystems. 

People living in the Eastern and Midland region were most likely to visit Urban Greenspaces (89%), and least likely to visit Grasslands and Croplands (69%) or Forests & Woodlands (67%) compared with those in other regions. People living in the Southern region were mostly likely to visit Coastal Beaches, Dunes & Wetlands (85%) and Marine & Transitional Waters (36%).

Those living in urban areas were more likely to visit Urban Greenspaces (90%), Rivers & Canals (67%), and Coastal Beaches, Dunes & Wetlands (82%) than those living in rural areas. Those living in rural areas were more likely to visit Grasslands and Croplands (85%), Forests & Woodlands (72%), Heathlands & Shrub, Inland Wetlands, and Sparsely Vegetated Ecosystems (60%), and Lakes & Reservoirs (46%) (See Table 3.2).

What green and natural spaces did we visit on longer trips?

The seaside was a very popular destination for overnight trips to spend time in nature, with 64% visiting Coastal Beaches, Dunes & Wetlands, and 27% visiting Marine & Transitional Waters. Forests & Woodlands were visited by 42% of those who took overnight trips to spend time in nature.

Those aged 70 and over were most likely to visit Coastal Beaches, Dunes & Wetlands (77%) compared with those in younger age groups (62-66%). Those living in urban areas were more likely to visit Marine & Transitional Waters (29%) than those living in rural areas (23%), while rural dwellers were more likely to visit Forests & Woodlands (47%) than those living in urban area (39%) (See Figure 3.2, Table 3.3).

How many nights were spent on overnight trips to visit nature?

More than half (55%) of people took at least one overnight trip within Ireland between June and August 2024, with 28% of people reporting doing so where one of the main purposes was to spend time or do activities in nature (See Table 3.4).

Based on the survey data, a total 6.1 million nights spent away from home in Ireland could be attributed to trips where one of the main purposes was to spend time or do activities in nature (See Table 3.5).